Unimaginable dream—being a guest speaker at the Flying Tigers WWII Veterans 78th Anniversary Reunion
Because of my books (Wings of a Flying Tiger & Will of a Tiger), I’ve been invited as a guest speaker at the Flying Tigers WWII Veterans 78th Anniversary Reunion in San Diego this fall (September 25-29).
I can’t believe it. What an honor! I wrote the novels to thank the American pilots for their bravery, contribution, and sacrifice during WWII in China. Now, in return, the Flying Tigers Association thanks me for writing the books about those American heroes. This is a dream come true—I’ll be with the people so close to the Flying Tigers (Sadly, all the Flying Tigers have passed away, but their family members will be there at the reunion).
Technically speaking, this is not a story of fulfilling dreams since I’ve never dreamed of such a dream.
I was born and raised in China when the country was isolated from the outside world. We were told that America was hell and American soldiers were devils—they were coward and cruel. We were not told that Americans had participated in the war against Japan in China and they had made vital contributions. I had never heard of the Flying Tigers before I came to this country. Never in my wildest dream could I imagine writing books about the American heroes.
Raised by professors, I’ve always loved reading. But writing was a dangerous career when I was growing up. As famous writers, my grandmother (the first Chinese woman to receive a master’s degree in the UK) and my aunt (she translated Peter Pan, Jane Eyre, Wuthering Heights, and other classics into Chinese) were wrongfully accused as Counter-Revolutionary Rightists. I had to choose science—a safer path. I received a Ph.D. in molecular biology from University of Rochester. But fiction writing was beyond my dream.
When I wrote the books, my dream was to get them published. Writing fiction was hard, especially for someone using a second language and trained as a scientist. Accepted for publication by a traditional publisher was already a tall order; many writers give up such a dream. I pushed on.
I dreamed that my books would touch other people’s hearts as the story of the Flying Tigers touched mine. I did it—many people were moved by my stories; a number of them cried reading the novels, from a 9-year-old boy, to a middle-aged man, to a 90-year-old lady. My books were featured in over a dozen newspapers. Even the prestigious program like National Public Radio recognized my effort and did an interview. But how could I dream that my hard work and struggle would be rewarded and thanked for by the people so close to the Flying Tigers?
“Dream an unimaginable dream; touch people’s hearts, one heart at a time” is my new dream.
PS. The reunion is not open to the public. One has to pay to register, but I’m going to give several presentations in San Diego:
San Diego Public Library, Carmel Valley Branch Library (Sept. 28, 2:30pm-3:30pm)
Alliance of Chinese Americans San Diego/ San Diego Chinese School (Sept. 29, 10am-11am)
San Diego Chinese Historical Museum (Sept. 29, 1:30pm-2:30pm)
For more information check www.irisyang-author.com.
I can’t believe it. What an honor! I wrote the novels to thank the American pilots for their bravery, contribution, and sacrifice during WWII in China. Now, in return, the Flying Tigers Association thanks me for writing the books about those American heroes. This is a dream come true—I’ll be with the people so close to the Flying Tigers (Sadly, all the Flying Tigers have passed away, but their family members will be there at the reunion).
Technically speaking, this is not a story of fulfilling dreams since I’ve never dreamed of such a dream.
I was born and raised in China when the country was isolated from the outside world. We were told that America was hell and American soldiers were devils—they were coward and cruel. We were not told that Americans had participated in the war against Japan in China and they had made vital contributions. I had never heard of the Flying Tigers before I came to this country. Never in my wildest dream could I imagine writing books about the American heroes.
Raised by professors, I’ve always loved reading. But writing was a dangerous career when I was growing up. As famous writers, my grandmother (the first Chinese woman to receive a master’s degree in the UK) and my aunt (she translated Peter Pan, Jane Eyre, Wuthering Heights, and other classics into Chinese) were wrongfully accused as Counter-Revolutionary Rightists. I had to choose science—a safer path. I received a Ph.D. in molecular biology from University of Rochester. But fiction writing was beyond my dream.
When I wrote the books, my dream was to get them published. Writing fiction was hard, especially for someone using a second language and trained as a scientist. Accepted for publication by a traditional publisher was already a tall order; many writers give up such a dream. I pushed on.
I dreamed that my books would touch other people’s hearts as the story of the Flying Tigers touched mine. I did it—many people were moved by my stories; a number of them cried reading the novels, from a 9-year-old boy, to a middle-aged man, to a 90-year-old lady. My books were featured in over a dozen newspapers. Even the prestigious program like National Public Radio recognized my effort and did an interview. But how could I dream that my hard work and struggle would be rewarded and thanked for by the people so close to the Flying Tigers?
“Dream an unimaginable dream; touch people’s hearts, one heart at a time” is my new dream.
PS. The reunion is not open to the public. One has to pay to register, but I’m going to give several presentations in San Diego:
San Diego Public Library, Carmel Valley Branch Library (Sept. 28, 2:30pm-3:30pm)
Alliance of Chinese Americans San Diego/ San Diego Chinese School (Sept. 29, 10am-11am)
San Diego Chinese Historical Museum (Sept. 29, 1:30pm-2:30pm)
For more information check www.irisyang-author.com.
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